John Johnson
@espnjohn.bsky.social
ESPN Behold Thompson League reporter. Amateur bird watcher.
Dire Baseball Team faces a daunting problem: their new stadium is both unstable in this plane of reality AND haunted by violent spirits.
Due to low funds after buying Thompson Den's replacement, the org has only one option:
Players and front office staff will exorcise the spirits themselves.
Due to low funds after buying Thompson Den's replacement, the org has only one option:
Players and front office staff will exorcise the spirits themselves.
October 27, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Dire Baseball Team faces a daunting problem: their new stadium is both unstable in this plane of reality AND haunted by violent spirits.
Due to low funds after buying Thompson Den's replacement, the org has only one option:
Players and front office staff will exorcise the spirits themselves.
Due to low funds after buying Thompson Den's replacement, the org has only one option:
Players and front office staff will exorcise the spirits themselves.
Under new management, Dire Baseball Team has officially purchased their new stadium to replace their unrepairable, previous home field.
Dire Baseball Team bought a castle.
Dire Baseball Team bought a castle.
October 9, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Under new management, Dire Baseball Team has officially purchased their new stadium to replace their unrepairable, previous home field.
Dire Baseball Team bought a castle.
Dire Baseball Team bought a castle.
OFFICIAL: Dire Baseball Team has been promoted from Triple-E to Single-D within the Behold Thompson League.
- New, stronger teams
- Postseason rounds increase to best-of-seven (from best-of-five)
- No automatic runner on second in extra innings
- *All pitchers will now hit; DH eliminated*
- New, stronger teams
- Postseason rounds increase to best-of-seven (from best-of-five)
- No automatic runner on second in extra innings
- *All pitchers will now hit; DH eliminated*
October 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
OFFICIAL: Dire Baseball Team has been promoted from Triple-E to Single-D within the Behold Thompson League.
- New, stronger teams
- Postseason rounds increase to best-of-seven (from best-of-five)
- No automatic runner on second in extra innings
- *All pitchers will now hit; DH eliminated*
- New, stronger teams
- Postseason rounds increase to best-of-seven (from best-of-five)
- No automatic runner on second in extra innings
- *All pitchers will now hit; DH eliminated*
Third base will be covered by INF Crimson. New signing Aul will be taking the spot of Juan in the bullpen.
October 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Third base will be covered by INF Crimson. New signing Aul will be taking the spot of Juan in the bullpen.
Dire Baseball Team has announced key leadership changes: relief pitcher Juan will join the coaching staff to lead pitching development, while third baseman Calx has been promoted to team manager. The organization aims to strengthen performance through internal leadership.
October 3, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Dire Baseball Team has announced key leadership changes: relief pitcher Juan will join the coaching staff to lead pitching development, while third baseman Calx has been promoted to team manager. The organization aims to strengthen performance through internal leadership.
Per management, player development is ongoing in the offseason as Dire continues to play exhibition games against other teams.
- INF Ed was doing extra laps, stretches, and fielding in the ballpark today
- RP Dream has been seen throwing more than two types of pitches (!!!)
- INF Ed was doing extra laps, stretches, and fielding in the ballpark today
- RP Dream has been seen throwing more than two types of pitches (!!!)
September 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Per management, player development is ongoing in the offseason as Dire continues to play exhibition games against other teams.
- INF Ed was doing extra laps, stretches, and fielding in the ballpark today
- RP Dream has been seen throwing more than two types of pitches (!!!)
- INF Ed was doing extra laps, stretches, and fielding in the ballpark today
- RP Dream has been seen throwing more than two types of pitches (!!!)
(2/2)
Emphasis was placed on the value of Twitchy's arm in throwing out runners stealing bases, keeping Writers in the lineup, and Jamjam's potential to contribute to the bullpen with a conversion to relief pitching.
Emphasis was placed on the value of Twitchy's arm in throwing out runners stealing bases, keeping Writers in the lineup, and Jamjam's potential to contribute to the bullpen with a conversion to relief pitching.
September 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
(2/2)
Emphasis was placed on the value of Twitchy's arm in throwing out runners stealing bases, keeping Writers in the lineup, and Jamjam's potential to contribute to the bullpen with a conversion to relief pitching.
Emphasis was placed on the value of Twitchy's arm in throwing out runners stealing bases, keeping Writers in the lineup, and Jamjam's potential to contribute to the bullpen with a conversion to relief pitching.
(1/2)
Movement in Dire's Roster
- Designated Hitter Writers to Right Field
- Right Field Twitchy to Catcher
- Catcher Jamjam to Relief Pitcher
Team management noted potential rule changes in the new league that Dire has been promoted to as partial reasons for position changes in their roster
Movement in Dire's Roster
- Designated Hitter Writers to Right Field
- Right Field Twitchy to Catcher
- Catcher Jamjam to Relief Pitcher
Team management noted potential rule changes in the new league that Dire has been promoted to as partial reasons for position changes in their roster
September 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
(1/2)
Movement in Dire's Roster
- Designated Hitter Writers to Right Field
- Right Field Twitchy to Catcher
- Catcher Jamjam to Relief Pitcher
Team management noted potential rule changes in the new league that Dire has been promoted to as partial reasons for position changes in their roster
Movement in Dire's Roster
- Designated Hitter Writers to Right Field
- Right Field Twitchy to Catcher
- Catcher Jamjam to Relief Pitcher
Team management noted potential rule changes in the new league that Dire has been promoted to as partial reasons for position changes in their roster
OFFICIAL: Dire has signed free agent relief pitcher Christian "Arcade Monster" Aul on a $1.3M rookie deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
Scouts report high upside with this signing. High velocity and break on his pitches.
Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
Scouts report high upside with this signing. High velocity and break on his pitches.
September 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM
OFFICIAL: Dire has signed free agent relief pitcher Christian "Arcade Monster" Aul on a $1.3M rookie deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
Scouts report high upside with this signing. High velocity and break on his pitches.
Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
Scouts report high upside with this signing. High velocity and break on his pitches.
BREAKING: Dire Baseball Team has signed a relief pitcher, details pending.
Dire has been relatively quiet in the offseason with their main expected signing being outfielder Morningale. An additional bullpen arm was unexpected by other teams.
Dire has been relatively quiet in the offseason with their main expected signing being outfielder Morningale. An additional bullpen arm was unexpected by other teams.
September 18, 2025 at 1:25 AM
BREAKING: Dire Baseball Team has signed a relief pitcher, details pending.
Dire has been relatively quiet in the offseason with their main expected signing being outfielder Morningale. An additional bullpen arm was unexpected by other teams.
Dire has been relatively quiet in the offseason with their main expected signing being outfielder Morningale. An additional bullpen arm was unexpected by other teams.
Dire has yet to confirm a new stadium. The team has been on the road playing offseason exhibition away games while also searching for a new home.
Rumor has it that the team has narrowed their choices down to three stadiums as of writing.
Rumor has it that the team has narrowed their choices down to three stadiums as of writing.
September 5, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Dire has yet to confirm a new stadium. The team has been on the road playing offseason exhibition away games while also searching for a new home.
Rumor has it that the team has narrowed their choices down to three stadiums as of writing.
Rumor has it that the team has narrowed their choices down to three stadiums as of writing.
Several teams from Behold Thompson League's Triple E system have been promoted to Single D. Amongst them, OG's, Boomers, Dire, and Empire.
Sources confirm several staff members in Empire have been let go after PED investigations. The team is also being bought by new owners and relocated to Big Sky.
Sources confirm several staff members in Empire have been let go after PED investigations. The team is also being bought by new owners and relocated to Big Sky.
September 5, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Several teams from Behold Thompson League's Triple E system have been promoted to Single D. Amongst them, OG's, Boomers, Dire, and Empire.
Sources confirm several staff members in Empire have been let go after PED investigations. The team is also being bought by new owners and relocated to Big Sky.
Sources confirm several staff members in Empire have been let go after PED investigations. The team is also being bought by new owners and relocated to Big Sky.
Cubes for my Boys ownership is facing financial trouble. With last year's loss of their TV deal, revenue has not been sustainable for the club. Sources say the club is being shopped out for buyers, however interest has been quiet.
September 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Cubes for my Boys ownership is facing financial trouble. With last year's loss of their TV deal, revenue has not been sustainable for the club. Sources say the club is being shopped out for buyers, however interest has been quiet.
Related: the league-wide offseason routine drug testing has not found performance enhancing drugs in any player on Dire. Only substances that would decrease performance.
September 2, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Related: the league-wide offseason routine drug testing has not found performance enhancing drugs in any player on Dire. Only substances that would decrease performance.
Empire management is under investigation for distributing PEDs to their players. Nothing confirmed, but several staff members have been placed on paid leave as of writing.
September 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Empire management is under investigation for distributing PEDs to their players. Nothing confirmed, but several staff members have been placed on paid leave as of writing.
Dire Baseball Team is under consideration for promotion to a higher tier league within Behold Thompson League thanks to postseason performance. New league would include new divisions, teams, and rules. Details pending.
September 2, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Dire Baseball Team is under consideration for promotion to a higher tier league within Behold Thompson League thanks to postseason performance. New league would include new divisions, teams, and rules. Details pending.
Dire is on the search for a new home after water damage forced them out of Thompson Den. The old bandbox had the smallest dimensions in the league—just 314 ft to Left Field and 373 ft to Center Field, well below league averages of 340 ft and 408 ft. Fewer homers ahead as fences get deeper.
August 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Dire is on the search for a new home after water damage forced them out of Thompson Den. The old bandbox had the smallest dimensions in the league—just 314 ft to Left Field and 373 ft to Center Field, well below league averages of 340 ft and 408 ft. Fewer homers ahead as fences get deeper.
1/2 During the clubhouse fire evacuation Dire LHP Lax and INF Philly were seen outside in what looked to be next season’s Alternate uniforms. Nearby fans were given an unintended first look at the design but unable to snap photos in time before team members realized and quickly stripped the jerseys.
August 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
1/2 During the clubhouse fire evacuation Dire LHP Lax and INF Philly were seen outside in what looked to be next season’s Alternate uniforms. Nearby fans were given an unintended first look at the design but unable to snap photos in time before team members realized and quickly stripped the jerseys.
Just learned a player was actually wearing the jersey that caught fire. Nightingale on the incident: “First I thought I was gonna die because I was on fire. Then I thought I was gonna die because a flood came rushing in from upstairs.”
Large mattress blocked flood, letting players escape safely.
Large mattress blocked flood, letting players escape safely.
August 22, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Just learned a player was actually wearing the jersey that caught fire. Nightingale on the incident: “First I thought I was gonna die because I was on fire. Then I thought I was gonna die because a flood came rushing in from upstairs.”
Large mattress blocked flood, letting players escape safely.
Large mattress blocked flood, letting players escape safely.
Update: Flood damage at Thompson Den has left the arena unusable for the foreseeable future. Small fire from hot dog grilling in the clubhouse was quickly put out, but sprinklers failed to stop, causing catastrophic damage. Management is seeking a new home stadium for the upcoming season.
August 21, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Update: Flood damage at Thompson Den has left the arena unusable for the foreseeable future. Small fire from hot dog grilling in the clubhouse was quickly put out, but sprinklers failed to stop, causing catastrophic damage. Management is seeking a new home stadium for the upcoming season.
BREAKING: Reports of flooding at Thompson Den after fire suppression systems failed to shut off. Significant damage has been reported. It is currently unknown the exact extent of damages.
August 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
BREAKING: Reports of flooding at Thompson Den after fire suppression systems failed to shut off. Significant damage has been reported. It is currently unknown the exact extent of damages.
Dire has agreed to terms with free agent CF Morningale on a $1.4M rookie deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Scouts view her as a plus defender with speed that could boost Dire’s baserunning. Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
August 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Dire has agreed to terms with free agent CF Morningale on a $1.4M rookie deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Scouts view her as a plus defender with speed that could boost Dire’s baserunning. Standard signing bonus; club control runs through 2031.
BREAKING: With the opening of the offseason trade window, Dire Baseball Team is signing a free agent outfielder.
Roster moves to fit the extra player are yet to be disclosed.
Roster moves to fit the extra player are yet to be disclosed.
August 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
BREAKING: With the opening of the offseason trade window, Dire Baseball Team is signing a free agent outfielder.
Roster moves to fit the extra player are yet to be disclosed.
Roster moves to fit the extra player are yet to be disclosed.
BTL World Series Game 5 Final Score:
Dire 4
Haunters 6
The Haunters are the Season 1 Champions of the Behold Thompson League.
Dire 4
Haunters 6
The Haunters are the Season 1 Champions of the Behold Thompson League.
August 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
BTL World Series Game 5 Final Score:
Dire 4
Haunters 6
The Haunters are the Season 1 Champions of the Behold Thompson League.
Dire 4
Haunters 6
The Haunters are the Season 1 Champions of the Behold Thompson League.